• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Fingers that change color

• Overview
• Treatment

Definition:

Fingers that change color when they are exposed to cold temperatures or stress are a sign of cyanosis . Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes from lack of oxygen.

Alternative Names:

Blanching of the fingers; Fingers - pale

Considerations:

Raynaud's phenomenon may cause sudden change in the finger color.

Common Causes:

• Arterial insufficiency or spasms of arteries that supply blood to the fingers and toes
• Buerger's disease
• Necrotizing vasculitis
• Scleroderma
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Review Date: 6/18/2007
• Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.